History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Part 143

Author:
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: Harrisburg : R. C. Brown
Number of Pages: 1454

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JAMES ARGETSINGER, a native of Montgomery county, New York, was born December 27, 1798. His wife, Catherine Winnie, a native of the same county, was born September 4, 1798, and became the mother of the following children: Hugh, a resident of Mansfield; Philip, deceased, who was born November 25, 1824; Sarah M., deceased, born November 15, 1826; J. G., a resident of Mansfield, born May 3, 1828; Hannah, born May 16, 1831; Jane M., deceased, born July 29, 1834, and Frank W., born October 18, 1836. Mr. Argetsinger came to Rutland township, Tioga county, about 1838, where he passed the remainder of his life. He died November 8, 1875, and his wife, September 19, 1883.

HUGH ARGETSINGER was born in Montgomery county, New York, January 6, 1823, and is the eldest child of James Argetsinger. He was about fifteen years old when his parents located in Rutland township, Tioga county, where he grew to manhood on the homestead farm. In March, 1862, he married Sarah Baker, a daughter of Holland Baker, of Rutland township, who bore him one daughter, Nora, deceased wife of Frank Burdick. He married for his second wife, Elmina Prutsman, who died in March, 1871. On January 14, 1873, he married Helen Prutsman, to which union have been born two children, Charles L. and Roy J. Mr. Argetsinger resided on his farm of 150 acres, near Roseville, in Rutland town- ship, up to the spring of 1881, when he removed to Roseville, where he resided nine years. He then became a resident of Mansfield for the purpose of educating his children. In religion, he is a member of the Baptist church, and in politics, an adherent of the Republican party.

VARDIS SHAW was born in Plainfield, Massachusetts, in 1799, a son of Joshua and Sarah (Hawes) Shaw, who came to Tioga county in 1811. They settled at Lamb's Creek, where Vardis grew to manhood. He married Eleanor Clark, a sister of Justus B. Clark, and soon after moved into Sullivan township. He returned to the old homestead in 1838, where the remaining years of his life were passed.

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He died March 24, 1863, and his wife, April 22, 1859. They were the parents of the following named children: Julia, Cynthia and Andrew, all deceased; Christina, who married Austin Bell, and after his death David Hart, now also deceased; David Porter, deceased; Maria, wife of William Althouse, of Oregon, Illinois; William M., and Daniel, the last deceased.

WILLIAM M. SHAW, a son of Vardis Shaw, was born in Sullivan township, Tioga county, January 8, 1834, and was reared on the old homestead at Lamb's Creek. In 1856 he went to Illinois and in 1857 to Doniphan county, Kansas, where he became a member of James Lane's Free State army. He subsequently lived in Nemaha county. In 1861 he returned to Tioga county, and in October of that year enlisted in the quartermaster's department of the Army of the Potomac, in which he served two years and seven months. On March 16, 1865, he married Emma Wells, a daughter of Benjamin and Eliza Wells, who bore him eight children, as follows: Benton, deceased; Della, wife of Jesse Garrison, of Job's Corners; Blanche, wife of Howard Lewis, of Richmond township; Wells, Alfred, Nellie, William and Edna. After his marriage, Mr. Shaw settled on his present farm in Richmond township, where he owns a well-improved property of 180 acres. In politics, he is an ardent Democrat, and has served as supervisor of Richmond for ten years. He is also a member of the Mansfield Grange, and is one of the leading farmers of the township.

PETER WHITTEKER was born in Canada, April 14, 1796. During the War of 1812, his father was drafted into the British service. Peter went as his substitute, but not liking to fight against the United States, he deserted and took up his resi- dence in Schoharie county, New York. There he met and married Ruth Lowns- bery, a daughter of Isaac Lownsbery, October 13, 1816. She was born April 3, 1799. In 1818 Mr. Whitteker, his young wife and her father came to Tioga county and located at Canoe Camp. A few years later he removed about two miles south- east of his first location, on Canoe Camp creek, which has since been the family homestead. Here he resided until his death, in 1877. To Peter and Ruth Whit- teker were born the following children: Catherine, deceased wife of S. L. Barber; Seth, of Richmond township; Plyna, who died March 26, 1895; Ari, deceased; Ma- tilda, wife of Russell Gillet, of Mansfield; Anna Maria, deceased wife of Samuel Goodall; Mrs. Susan Eaton, of Michigan; Barney, who lives on the old homestead; Lydia Jane, widow of James Cudworth; Mary, deceased wife of E. W. Phelps; Olive, deceased; Nancy Margaret, wife of Morris Gillet, of Steuben county, New York; Albert Melville, a resident of Thayer, Kansas, and Amanda Melvina, wife of Alex- ander Mott, of The Dalles, Oregon.

SETH WHITTEKER, eldest son of Peter Whitteker, was born in Canoe Camp, Tioga county, October 25, 1818. He was reared on the homestead farm in Richmond township, and attended the common schools in boyhood. On August 26, 1840, he married Ruhamah Robinson, a daughter of Erastus and Ruhamah Robinson, natives of Rutland county, Vermont. Eleven children have been born to this marriage, as follows: Sarah, Catherine, wife of Walter Phelps, of The Dalles, Oregon; Rosalia, and Candace, both deceased; Helena, deceased wife of Watson Phelps; Almeron, James, a resident of Richmond township; Anna, wife of Edward Thomas, of Amboy, Washington; Nelson, Celia, who resides near Amboy, and Lincoln, who lives near

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his father. In politics, Mr. Whitteker is a Democrat, and has served as supervisor two terms, as school director eleven years and as auditor several terms. He has lived on his present farm nearly forty years. It was a part of the Bingham estate, and originally comprised sixty-one acres, which he has added to by purchase until he now owns over 200 acres. Mr. Whitteker is one of the oldest living persons born in the township, as well as one of its most substantial and respected citizens.

MICHAEL FRALIC was born in Unadilla, New York, August 18, 1802. He was a millwright, and also followed rafting. In 1831 he came to Tioga county to erect a saw-mill for Daniel Sherwood and his sons on the Tioga river, one-half mile below Lamb's Creek bridge. He followed lumbering for several years and then purchased 200 acres of land two miles up Lamb's creek, which he cleared for the timber. He lived on this tract up to 1852, when he removed to Lamb's Creek. About 1858 he bought the old Gad Lamb water-power saw-mill of Hoard & Beach, and followed the manufacture of lumber until about 1860. He then retired from business, and was succeeded by his sons, Daniel L. and M. H., in 1866, who have since carried on the enterprise under the firm name of Fralic Brothers. Mr. Fralic married An- geline Lamb, a daughter of Daniel Lamb, son of the pioneer, Gad Lamb, to which union were born the following children: Jerusha L. and Rachel, both deceased; Daniel L., a member of the lumber firm of Fralic & Flower, Corning, New York, and of Fralic Brothers, Lamb's Creek, and M. H., a resident of the latter place. Mrs. Fralic died in August, 1877, and her husband, December 24, 1885, aged eighty- three years.

M. H. FRALIC, youngest child of Michael Fralic, was born in Richmond town- ship, Tioga county, September 16, 1844, on what is now known as the Wilson Day farm, in Lamb's Creek valley. From his youth up to the present he has been engaged in lumbering. The old mill being damaged by water in 1869, they built a new one in 1870, on the west side of the river, substituting steam for water power. Its daily capacity is 10,000 feet and the product consists of lumber, lath, flooring, siding, etc. Mr. Fralic was married December 16, 1869, to Maria J. Doane, a daughter of Julius and Julia Doane, of Covington, Tioga county, who bore him four children, viz: Willard E., who is setter in the mill of Fralic & Flower, of Corning; Walter R., George D. and Harry B. Mrs. Fralic died in August, 1889, and he was again mar- ried July 16, 1894, to Sarah Elizabeth Perry, widow of William Perry. During the Rebellion, Mr. Fralic enlisted twice. He served six weeks in Company K, Thirty- fifth Emergency Men, and in the fall of 1864 again enlisted, in Company K, Two Hundred and Tenth Pennsylvania Volunteers. He served in the battles of Hatcher's Run, Weldon Railroad and Appomattox. Politically, he is a Republican, and has served several terms as treasurer of Richmond township. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, of Lamb's Creek, and also of Mansfield Post, No. 48, G. A. R., of Mansfield.

WELCOME JAQUISH was the eldest child of Joseph and Clarissa M. (Reynolds) Jaquish, and was born in Delaware county, New York, May 22, 1816. In June, 1828, the family came to Tioga county, Pennsylvania, and settled in Covington township, on the farm where Charles Jaquish now lives. Welcome was then twelve years old, and he assisted his parents in clearing up the homestead, on which he grew to maturity, and subsequently removed to the Cleveland settlement, in Sullivan

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township. On May 9, 1841, he married Roxina Cleveland, a daughter of Aaron and Betsey Cleveland, of Sullivan township, and in 1847 they settled on the farm in the southeastern part of Richmond township, on which their son, E. W., now lives. They became the parents of the following children: Avery W., deceased; Horace A., E. W., of Richmond; Permelia E., widow of James S. Jeliff; Clarissa M., who died January 13, 1883; Ada A., who died May 8, 1867; Elias, who died in June, 1886; Ira M., who died March 5, 1858; Ira R., who died in infancy; Floyd D., a resident of Sullivan township; Irene, who died January 3, 1862, and Emma R., who died September 10, 1864. Mr. Jaquish died upon the homestead farm in 1884, in the sixty-ninth year of his age.

E. W. JAQUISH, a son of Welcome and Roxina Jaquish, was born on the home- stead in Richmond township, Tioga county, June 12, 1847, and obtained a common school education. In 1870 he engaged in the meat business, running a wagon through the mining districts for the accommodation of the miners, and five years later opened a meat market in Fall Brook. This he continued until the fall of 1884, when he settled on the old homestead. This farm, which in 1847 consisted of fifty-two acres, has been added to from time to time until Mr. Jaquish now owns 386 acres of land lying in Richmond, Covington and Sullivan townships. He is one of the largest land owners and heaviest tax payers in the county and has accu- mulated this property by untiring industry and good management. On April 27, 1881, Mr. Jaquish married Martha Preston, a daughter of Daniel and Mary Preston, of Union township, who has borne him six children, as follows: Orrin W., Daniel P., Elvin W., Francis M., John J., and Harry, the last of whom died in childhood. In politics, Mr. Jaquish is an ardent Republican, and has served as township auditor. He is a member of the K. of H. and the I. O. O. F. societies.

ORLANDO W. WATKINS was born in Sullivan township, Tioga county, Penn- sylvania, August 4, 1860, and is the only son of S. and Sarah (Roblyer) Watkins. His father was a native of Columbia township, Bradford county, and was reared in that and Sullivan township, locating in the southwest corner of the latter in 1859, where he made his home until his death, January 16, 1889. His widow lives with her son in Richmond township. They were the parents of two children, viz: Orlando W., of Richmond township, and Nellie, wife of F. W. Horton, of Cov- ington township. The subject of this sketch received a common school education, supplemented later by a two years' course at the State Normal School, Mansfield. He has devoted his attention to farming and lumbering, and is the owner of two farms, one of fifty acres, a part of the old homestead, and one of sixty-two acres on Canoe Camp creek, in Richmond township. The latter he purchased in 1889, and it is his present home. Mr. Watkins was married March 16, 1887, to Bettie Baity, a daughter of Edson and Rosalie Baity, of Sullivan township, and has two children, Edson and Lyle. In politics, Mr. Watkins is a Republican, and is also a member of Mainesburg Grange, Patrons of Husbandry. He is a progressive and enterprising farmer and stands high in the esteem of his neighbors.

FRANCIS FLOWER was born in West Springfield, Massachusetts, August 14, 1811, a son of Alfred and Harriet Leonard Flower. His parents reared the fol- lowing children: Eleanor, deceased wife of William B. Ripley; Sarah, who lives on the old homestead in Massachusetts; Lucius, deceased; Alfred, and Samuel,

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residents of West Springfield, Massachusetts; Francis and Harriet, the latter de- ceased. The father was a farmer, and a prominent citizen of Springfield. He served in the Massachusetts legislature, and was for a number of years a justice of the peace and overseer of the poor. He lived to the ripe old age of over ninety years. The subject of this sketch remained with his parents until the age of six- teen when he went to Hartford, Connecticut, where he clerked in a store until he was twenty-five. He then removed to Rochester, New York, and engaged in the grocery business, which he followed a few years later in Buffalo, where he also filled the office of justice of the peace. He spent several years in New Orleans, Cincinnati, and other places, prosecuting business ventures. In 1867 he came to Tioga county and became a member of the milling and lumbering firm of Flower & Waters, of which his brother Lucius was the head. This firm afterwards became Shaw, Flower & Company. They operated a saw-mill about a mile above the vil- lage of Lamb's Creek, on the stream of the same name. About 1875 Mr. Flower lo- cated in Lamb's Creek and opened a grocery store, which he still carries on. In 1881 he married Augusta A. Luther. Politically, Mr. Flower is a Democrat, and in religion, a Presbyterian. He is one of the oldest citizens of Tioga county, not- withstanding which he is in full possession of mind and memory, and quite an active and vigorous man.

B. H. OSGOOD was born in Chemung county, New York, April 11, 1852, and came with his parents to Charleston township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, in 1857. His father died in that township, and his mother still lives there. They were the parents of seven children, as follows: Hannah J., deceased; Nathaniel, a resident of Charleston; Levi, who lives near Keeneyville; Frank, a resident of Michigan; B. H., of Richmond township; Elizabeth, wife of Shuble Peters, of Elmira, and Mary, wife of Calvin Nixon, of Lawrenceville. The subject of this sketch received a common school education and in early manhood followed lum- bering. About the year 1878 he purchased 113 acres of land on Pickle hill, which he still owns. Twelve years later he rented the old Asa Mann farm, north of Mansfield borough, now the property of R. W. Rose, which he has successfully cul- tivated in connection with his own homestead, and now ranks among the success- ful and progressive farmers of the township. Mr. Osgood was married April 6, 1872, to Elizabeth McConnell, a daughter of Henry McConnell, to which union have been born eight children, viz: Ruth, Clarence and Leonard, both deceased; Watson, Irvin, Levina, Eva and Walter. In politics, Mr. Osgood is a Republican, and has served as a supervisor in Richmond township. He is also a member of the Mansfield Grange, and in religion, an adherent of the Methodist Episcopal church.

SULLIVAN TOWNSHIP AND MAINESBURG.

SAMUEL REYNOLDS came from Vermont about 1803, to Sullivan township, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, and was one of the first settlers in that part of the county. For the first few years after his settlement, he, and sometimes his wife, was compelled to go to Williamsport on horseback to secure provisions and house- hold necessaries for his family. There were no roads through Sullivan at that period, excepting mere bridle-paths cut out by the pioneers. He was married

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before coming to this county, in 1801, to Anna Mann, of Rhode Island, and brought his young wife into the wilderness of Sullivan township to share his trials, and hardships. Ten children were born to them, viz: Mrs. Eliza Austin, Draper, Thomas, Mrs. Phoebe Rew, Lyman, Mrs. Leonora Hazard, Mahala, Almeda, Asa and Joshua, all of whom are dead except Mrs. Hazard, who resides in Illinois. Be- sides rearing this large family, the parents secured a competence to protect them in old age, though it was acquired by the greatest industry and the most rigid economy. Mr. Reynolds and family were firm adherents of the Methodist Epis- copal church. In politics, he was a stanch Democrat, and took an active part in political affairs. He died in 1843, aged about sixty years. His wife survived him eleven years, dying in 1854, aged seventy.

THOMAS REYNOLDS, second son of Samuel and Anna Reynolds, was born in Sullivan township, Tioga county, February 25, 1808. He died October 3, 1896, and at the time of his death was one of the oldest citizens of his native county. In boyhood he had no educational advantages, as there were no schools in his neigh- borhood at that early day, but through the passing years he obtained that practical knowledge of men and affairs which a man learns as he travels along the pathway of life. In 1832 he married Amelia Webster, of Sullivan township, to which union were born four children, viz: VanBuren, Cyrus, a resident of Illinois; Lyman, deceased, and Nelson. Mrs. Reynolds died in 1851, and believing that his children needed a mother's care, he was again married April 10, 1853, to Mary Moore, a daughter of James Moore, of Sylvania, Bradford county, who is the mother of one daughter, Mrs. Ella Rumsey. In politics, Mr. Reynolds was always an ardent Democrat, casting his first vote for Andrew Jackson for President. At the time of his death he was the oldest citizen in Sullivan township, and was in full pos- session of all his faculties, except that of sight. He possessed a most wonderful memory, and his reminiscences of pioneer days and events were very interesting. He was postmaster of the office now known as Sullivan during President Van Buren's administration, and also served as constable, collector, supervisor and justice of the peace. He assisted to clear the land now embraced within the borough of Mansfield, and particularly that portion on which the bank and Hotel Allen now stand. Mr. Reynolds and wife were members of State Road Methodist Episcopal church, in which he was the first Sabbath-school superintendent, and which he helped to build and maintain. For many years he was class leader and steward of the church, but when his eyesight failed him, he was compelled to give up active church work. Mr. Reynolds was a man of progressive ideas and public spirit, upright in all things, and respected by the leading people of his native county.

JAMES GRAY, SR., was born in Sharon, Connecticut, in 1760, and there grew to manhood. He resided a few years in Boston, Massachusetts, and then removed to Cooperstown, New York. In 1805 he came to Tioga county, Pennsylvania, and located in what is now known as Gray's valley, which was so named in his honor, where he bought 1,000 acres of land and paid cash for it. The place of his settle- ment is one of the prettiest and most fertile spots in Tioga county, and he was one of the earliest among the pioneers of the township. Little of his early life is known by his descendants, except that he served seven years in the Continental army, and thus did his full share towards establishing this free government. He was dis-

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charged from the service with the rank of captain. In 1785, he married Parthenia White, of Norfolk, Connecticut, who bore him a family of nine children, as follows: John, James, Silas, George W., Renssalear, Betsey, Mrs. Aurelia Ripley, Mrs. Evelina Rumsey, and Mrs. Melissa Reynolds. Mr. Gray was originally a Federalist and afterwards a Whig. In religion, both he and his wife were Episcopalians. He died March 1, 1846, his wife having preceded him to the grave, in May, 1833.

JAMES GRAY, second son of James Gray, Sr., was born in Sharon, Connecticut, November 25, 1790, and removed with his parents to Otsego county, New York, in childhood. When he was fifteen years old the family located in Sullivan town- ship, Tioga county, and his subsequent life was passed in Gray's valley. On Septem- ber 11, 1817, he married Maria Campbell, of Springfield, Bradford county, who bore him one son, Victor M., since deceased. Mrs. Gray died February 26, 1820, and on December 28th following, he married Lorena Doud, who bore him six chil- dren, as follows: Mrs. Isabella Reynolds, deceased; Lafayette; Mrs. Louisa Rob- bins, who lives at Corning; Mrs. Henrietta Young, deceased; Delaune, deceased, and Mrs. Lorancy Baker, deceased. Mrs. Gray died October 2, 1833, and on May 19, 1844, he married Martha Pinkham, of Tioga, who bore him one daughter, Mrs. Ida P. Webster, of Williamsport. Mr. Gray died July 25, 1860. His widow sur- vived until July 10, 1877, and died at the residence of her daughter in Williams- port. He was a Whig until 1828, when he supported Andrew Jackson for the presidency, and remained a Democrat until 1856. In that year he became a Re- publican, and voted that ticket until his death. For nearly twenty-five years he served as a justice of the peace, and was postmaster at Gray's Valley a long period. Mr. Gray and family were members of the Baptist church, in which he filled the offices of clerk and deacon for many years.

LAFAYETTE GRAY, eldest son of James and Lorena Gray, was born on the homestead in Gray's valley, Sullivan township, Tioga county, March 20, 1824. He obtained a good common school education, and from 1846 to 1855 he taught in the public schools of thecounty. Since that time he has devoted his attention to farming, making dairying a specialty. On October 3, 1847, he married Amanda V. Haven, of Bradford county, who bore him four children, viz: James E., Wilton D., Mrs. Alice Rose, and Fred L., a resident of California. Mrs. Gray died February 8. 1887, and he was again married May 19, 1891, to Mrs. Aletta Baker, a daughter of . Laben L. and Nancy Rockwell, of Rutland township. Prior to 1856, Mr. Gray was a Democrat, since which year he has been an ardent Republican. He filled the office of school director about nine years, and both he and his family are con- nected with the Baptist church.

WILTON D. GRAY, second son of Lafayette and Amanda V. Gray, was born in Sullivan township, Tioga county, January 31, 1853, and was reared upon the homestead farm. After completing his primary education in the district schools, be attended the Wellsboro graded schools until 1870, since which time he has de- voted his attention to farming. He was married October 22, 1878, to Anna Rose, a daughter of Elliott S. Rose, of Sullivan township, and has two children, viz: Nellie, born October 9, 1888, and Jessie, March 21, 1892. Mr. Gray is a stanch Republican, and both he and wife are members of the State Road Baptist church. He is con- nected with Mainesburg Lodge, No. 754, I. O. O. F., and takes a deep interest in

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public affairs. Mr. Gray is recognized as one of the progressive young farmers of his native township, in which his entire life has been passed.

PAUL CUDWORTH was born in Massachusetts, there grew to manhood and mar- ried Sarah Drinkwater, a native of the same State. Their children were Paul, Apollos, Samuel, James, Mollie, who married Hanover Pitts, and Susannah, who married Noah Rumsey, Sr. Mr. Cudworth removed with his family to Vermont, remaining there until about 1808, when he came to Tioga county, Pennsylvania, and settled in Sullivan township. He and wife were pioneers of that locality and passed the remaining years of their lives in Sullivan.

JAMES CUDWORTH, SR., son of Paul Cudworth, was born in Massachusetts, August 17, 1795, and came with his parents to Sullivan township, Tioga county, when about thirteen years old. He served as a drummer boy in the War of 1812. Soon after arriving at his majority he married Anna Doud, a daughter of Peleg Doud, one of the pioneers of Sullivan township. She was born September 17, 1799, and bore him the following named children: Jerome B., of Mainesburg; Saralı Ann, widow of Edward A. Fish, of Wellsboro; James and William, both deceased; Julia Ann, and Paul C., a resident of Michigan. Mr. Cudworth died April 18, 1836, on the farm now the home of his grandson, James C. Cudworth, His wife died January 16, 1866.

JAMES CUDWORTH, a son of James Cudworth, Sr., was born in Sullivan town- ship, Tioga county, Pennsylvania, August 17, 1826, and there grew to manhood. He obtained very little schooling and spent his early life upon a farm. On May 30, 1849, he married Lydia J. Whitteker, a daughter of Peter Whitteker, of Richmond township, who became the mother of three children, viz: Julia L., born September 17, 1851, wife of J. W. DeWitt; Virginia L., born October 7, 1853, wife of C. F. Parkhurst, and James C. Mr. Cudworth removed to Mainesburg in 1885, enter- ing into partnership with his son-in-law, J. W. DeWitt, in the mercantile business. He remained in that business until March, 1892, when he sold out and returned to his farm, where he died, July 16, 1892. His widow resides in Mainesburg. He was a member of Cherry Flats Baptist church, to which his family also adheres. In politics, he was a stanch Democrat, and during the Rebellion he gave both time and money liberally towards raising troops to defend the flag and preserve the Union.

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History of Tioga County, Pennsylvania, Part 143

Author: Publication date: 1897 Publisher: Harrisburg : R. C. Brown Number of Pages: 1454

Author:
Publication date: 1897
Publisher: Harrisburg : R. C. Brown
Number of Pages: 1454